Blog

Summer 2018 | Live Blog | Lessons From Literature 2018

Dr. Rosen began Day 1 of the SDPA Annual Summer Conference this morning with a complementary message thanking PAs for being “the most open to adopting new technology and new drugs and pushing your doctors into the 21st century”. Dr. Rosen also vocalized his continued support of PAs!

He started his review of the latest topics in medical literature published in 2018. The hottest topic being the opioid epidemic as it relates to the dermatology profession. Fortunately, a JAMA article highlighted that dermatologists are not typically prescribing opioids to their patients outside of surgery and in that realm, averaging very low rates.

An interesting article published in the British Journal of Dermatology revealed a much better adherence rate when patients have a smart phone app (65% with the app vs. 38% without). Dr. Rosen reiterated that based on this data, PAs should “be very cautious” as patients don’t always adhere to instructions by their medical providers.

Dr. Rosen touched upon numerous topics within the field of cutaneous oncology. A recent study investigated the efficacy of umbrellas vs. sunscreen for the protection of the skin revealed that sunscreen was much more effective than an umbrella. Due to the process by which UV rays reach the skin, including reflective and lateral exposure, “shade alone is not sufficient”. Newer medications including cemiplimab for the treatment of metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and avelumab for Merkel Cell Carcinoma is showing positive data for patients. Additionally, the information regarding HCTZ and skin cancer risk as well as the relationship of erythema ab igne and skin cancer risk was discussed.

Lastly, Dr. Rosen reviewed the data on various infectious disease topics including molluscum, sexually transmitted infections, impetigo, Chagas, HIV and newer antibiotics. Typical responses to the new shingles vaccine, which is in a current state of nationwide shortage, were discussed. Another recent study published in the Journal of Allergy of Clinical Immunology revealed that stopping the medication for a patient with a typical drug rash may not always be the most effective approach. Finally grooming habits and rates of STIs were explored.